Police attack 'Occupy Congress' protest in Madrid (Video)

Madrid
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A rally was held on Wednesday with thousands of Spanish indignados surrounding the Congress building in Madrid, in an action dubbed "Occupy Congress."

The indignados were calling for new elections and carrying banners with the clear slogan "No", referring to the austerity measures being taken by the Spanish government.

Protesters are saying that a government chosen by the people that, once it reaches power, does not keep it's promises, has no legitimacy. They say that winning an election does not give the government the right to act as it wants, betraying the voters who have elected it.

Thousands gathered in the Plaza de Neptune in Madrid, around 100 meters from the Congress building. They pledged to march around the building, calling for new elections.

Live stream screen capture

The event got violent when riot police started firing rubber bullets and tear gas into the crowd. El Pais is reporting that fourteen people have been injured and 23 have been arrested. The demonstration is still continuing at the time of writing, and a livestream can be viewed on El Pais here.

In the video above, riot police can be seen beating protesters that had tried to get through the police lines, and dragging them by the arms or legs. Metal barriers have been placed around the Congress building to block access from every possible direction.

Police vehicles have been parked bumper-to-bumper around the Congress building, and the city has announced that 1,300 police will be deployed to handle the protesters.